For the last decade, Eiko’s at Oxbow has been a fixture in the market with Chef Brian Santos behind the counter. We recently had a chance to sit down with both Brian and Allison Hallum, who heads up her family’s trio of successful restaurants (Eiko’s at Oxbow, Eiko’s, and Napa Noodles) to get the background on what makes Eiko’s sushi bar at the Oxbow such a local favorite.
OxNotes: Restaurants can be tough businesses; why do you think Eiko’s at Oxbow has had so much staying power?
Allison: We believe in giving our customers what they want. With lots of experience, Brian does a great job of responding to what guests are looking for in a creative way. And we never, ever sub-out inferior products, so you get a really consistent experience.
OxNotes: Tell me about your fish sources.
Allison: One of the things that sets Eiko’s apart is our relationships with the top fish purveyors in the Bay Area. We’ve done business with the same suppliers for years, so we are able to bring the best quality fish to Napa Valley.
Brian: We get deliveries of sustainably caught fish six-days a week – every day except Sundays. We use the fish for our sushi and poke bowls, of course, but local’s might not know that they can give us 24-hour notice and we can order them any fish they’d like. It’s a great service. Over the last few years, we’ve evolved our fish case too. You can now get poke by the pound as well as some salads by weight as well.
OxNotes: Brian, you’ve run the sushi counter at the Oxbow for 10 years, the entire time Eiko’s has been in the Oxbow. Tell us about your background.
Brian: I grew up here locally–born in Vallejo and now live in American Canyon. After culinary school in San Francisco, I began working at numerous sushi restaurants and learning the craft hands on. I’ve been making sushi for over 20 years now.
OxNotes: What is your bestselling item? Any favorites you love to make?
Brian: I love making poke bowls for customers. They are a big hit and a great meal. As far as rolls goes, our Ricky Richardo Roll is definitely a fan-favorite. But the Lion Roll, a torched roll with crab mix, avocado inside and topped with salmon, sesame sauce, and tobiko, is a showstopper!
OxNotes: What is your favorite time to shop the Oxbow Public Market?
Allison: I love being part of the market community and shop throughout the market regularly. As a mom of a busy boy, I don’t have a lot of time, so having so much good quality produce and products right here at the market makes life easier. I shop the market in the afternoon — after the lunch rush.
Eiko’s at Oxbow is a full-service seafood marketplace and sushi bar. Classic sushi rolls, fresh poke bowls, seasonal sushi and sashimi offerings are menu favorites. In addition to a retail fish counter, Eiko’s at Oxbow also features grab-and-go Japanese selections, and a sit-down sushi bar, plus Japanese beer and sake to accompany.